For the first time since 2019, the SIU softball team won a game in the NCAA Regional Tournament.
The Salukis downed California Friday 5-4 in a game played at LSU in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
The win marked the 100th of Head Coach Jen Sewell's career as it was her first NCAA Tournament win during her first three years at the helm for Southern.
The Salukis scored all five of their runs in the second inning and Maddia Groff pitched a complete game for her 30th win of the season. The team improved to 43-9 overall.
In a four-team, double-elimination tournament, SIU will play at noon on Saturday against LSU for a spot in the regional championship game. A loss would require the Salukis to play an elimination game Saturday evening.
